He may have had big opposition 'in the ring,' but St Jean who was deposed of favouritism by Montjeu Minder (11/8 into evens), had a very stylish success in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden at Tramore.

Chris Hayes soon had the victorious Teofilo colt in front and he travelled best past the half mile pole. He was going to win barring accidents from three furlongs out and he coasted home to defeat Ballyglasheen by sixteen lengths.

Montjeu Minder didn't appear to handle the track too well and he ended up a short head further back in third.

Hayes remarked: "It was a very, very bad maiden. It was good placing by the boss (Kevin Prendergast). He let me do my own thing. He's a nice well balanced horse and once the handicapper doesn't go reading too much into it he should pick up a handicap." (DM & EM)